Airbus H160M Guépard completes maiden flight for French Armed Forces
Airbus Helicopters has successfully carried out the first flight of the H160M Guépard, the militarized variant of its H160 platform, marking a key milestone in France’s Joint Light Helicopter (Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger, HIL) program. The flight took place at Airbus Helicopters’ headquarters in Marignane, France, with a dedicated crew of one test pilot and three flight test engineers on board.
“The start of the flight test campaign is a major milestone for the H160M program,” Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, said. “We have received excellent feedback from the French Navy on the performance of their six H160s, which have proven themselves with a high availability rate. The H160M is an aircraft tailored for tomorrow’s military operations: reliable, agile, highly connected, and equipped with the latest generation of sensors and weaponry.”
The H160M, selected by France as a common platform for its Army, Navy, and Air and Space Force, aims to streamline operations across the three branches.
From civil H160 to military Guépard
The H160M is based on the civil H160, which entered service in 2022. Named Guépard by the French Armed Forces, the new military model incorporates advanced mission systems, avionics, and weaponry to support a wide range of operations, from armed reconnaissance and surveillance to light transport and maritime missions.
Airbus is building three prototypes to accelerate the program’s development. The first prototype will validate flight performance and conduct live firing tests starting in 2026, while the second prototype, now in final assembly, will focus on environmental trials, including hot and cold weather campaigns.
Performance and design features
Ministere des ArmeesWeighing around 6 tonnes, the Guépard is heavier and faster than the legacy helicopters it is set to replace, offering a top speed of 330 kiloters per hour. It is powered by two Safran Arrano engines, each delivering 1,100 shaft horsepower.
The helicopter features Thales FlytX avionics and a mission system designed by Airbus to deliver situational awareness and allow operations in degraded environments.
The Guépard is equipped with advanced communication systems for integration into joint air, land, and naval operations. It is the first Airbus helicopter designed to cooperate natively with drones and comes with Safran’s Euroflir 410 electro-optical system and Thales’ AirMaster C radar. Its self-protection suite covers the entire electromagnetic and optical spectrum with automated threat countermeasures.
The H160M also includes Airbus’ HForce modular weapon system, supporting 12.7 mm machine gun pods, guided rockets, and 7.62 mm pintle-mounted machine guns for door gunners or precision shooters.
Fleet replacement plan and deliveries
The French Ministry of Armed Forces plans to acquire 169 H160Ms to replace five aging helicopter types currently in service: the Gazelle, Alouette III, Dauphin, Panther, and Fennec.
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The first deliveries of the H160M to the French Armed Forces are expected in late 2028, under the current French Military Programming Law (LPM 2024-2030). The planned distribution includes 80 helicopters for the Army, 49 for the Navy, and 40 for the Air and Space Force. The post Airbus H160M Guépard completes maiden flight for French Armed Forces appeared first on AeroTime.
Airbus Helicopters has successfully carried out the first flight of the H160M Guépard, the militarized variant of its…
The post Airbus H160M Guépard completes maiden flight for French Armed Forces appeared first on AeroTime.
